http://mmajunkie.comIt’s a daunting proposition to fight UFC lightweight Clay Guida (25-11 MMA, 5-5 UFC) at sea level, but to fight him at a mile high? You’ve got to have guts.

Shannon Gugerty (12-4 MMA, 2-2 UFC) was depressed after a second-round submission loss to Terry Etim this past November at UFC 105 and needed a new challenge, quickly.

“I just wanted to get back into the gym as soon as possible and get another fight,” Gugerty told MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com).

Thus, he didn’t think twice when his camp presented him a fight with Guida at UFC on Versus 1 on March 21. He knew he’d be in for one of the most grueling nights of his career – in the thin air at 5,400 feet above sea level. But if he fights to his potential, win or lose, it at least will be a memorable fight.

“I want people to be like, ‘Damn, Shannon Gugerty can scrap,'” Gugerty said.

Gugerty trekked to Big Bear, Calif., with his coaches, light heavyweight Brandon Vera and a smattering of up-and-coming fighters, to prepare for the heightened battle. He and Vera immediately struggled to adjust to the elevation.

“The first week was the worst,” Gugerty said. “I couldn’t sleep. (I was) waking up in the middle of the night. You felt like somebody had a bag over your head and was trying to kill you.”

He could barely make it through two rounds in those days. But after a week of wheezing, his lungs adjusted, and he picked up the intensity.

Since then, it’s been like a summer camp without summer in the California mountains. Gugerty is one of a large cadre of fighters living in the house. Everyone has a job to do. Some cook; some shovel snow. Others travel to get movies and supplies. There’s little to do but eat, sleep and train.

Five weeks into camp, several crews of five or so fighters have rotated into the house to provide fresh training partners. Gugerty said it’s been an amazing time in his competitive development.

After a month and a half spent at 6,700 feet, Gugerty won’t need to acclimate to the air of Broomfield, Colo., where UFC on Versus 1 is slated.

“My coaches have been so awesome just helping me peak at the right time, and that’s the goal, To get out there and be peaked in Broomfield,” he said. “Hopefully everything goes as planned.”

Guida was originally scheduled to fight former lightweight champion Sean Sherk on the Versus-broadcast card, but Sherk withdrew from the fight due to injury. (Sources close to the fighter said Sherk may not fight for the remainder of 2010.)

Guida is currently on a two-fight slide and recently told MMAjunkie.com that he needs a win against Gugerty.

Meanwhile, Gugerty has alternated wins and losses in four octagon appearances. A win over Guida would be a significant step up in his career.

“Most guys wouldn’t want to take that fight, so I’m happy and proud of myself for stepping up,” Gugerty said.

It’s not a mystery what Guida brings to the fight. A wrestler by trade, he’s a frenetic ball of energy and three-time “Fight of the Night” winner that alternates between punching flurries and old-school ground and pound. Only those truly in shape keep up with him.

“That’s the good thing about fighting Clay – he’s a pretty predictable fighter,” Gugerty said. “But you know you’re going to get a tough-ass fight in itself.

“My mom doesn’t watch UFC; she just knows that I fight. But when my dad told her I was fighting Clay Guida, she even knew who he is.”

Gugerty, a jiu-jitsu brown belt, knows his strength is in submissions, even if he’s worked diligently on his stand-up. Guida usually puts his opponents on their backs after a short spell. It’s a significant risk for Gugerty, but there’s a huge upside if he catches a submission on the mat.

If he’s not careful, though, he could wind up on his back and on the wrong end of elbows and punches.

Nevertheless, it’s a fight almost guaranteed to be exciting. Gugerty is ready to show fans he’s worth watching.

“As soon as they told me, I was like, ‘For sure,'” Gugerty said. “I didn’t care. I’ve always wanted to test my skills against his anyways. Why not go out there and fight a huge name?